Live concert and performance photography

For live concerts, the choice of gear is very important, and it is primarily dictated by the extreme low-light conditions. I wrote about dealing with dimly lit environments, such as restaurant interiors, but a live performance adds an additional challenge of fast action. Using flash is obviously not an option, as it would interfere with the performance and even if it would be allowed, it would destroy the dramatic character and ambiance of the stage light.

The most important piece of equipment is the lens. It needs to be “fast”, i.e. have a large maximum aperture, and it needs to be sharp at that maximum aperture, because I really want to shoot it wide open. In my experience, as a minimum, an f/2.8 lens is required, such as the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM (I shoot Canon, so this lens is my workhorse, by Nikon has a counterpart for nearly every lens I mention, for example, Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II AF-S). For even better results, I often use still faster prime lenses, such as the 35mm f/1.4L USM, which is good for wider overview shots, or the spectacular, unique-to-Canon 85mm f1.2L II USM. The latter lens not only gathers enormous amount of light at f/1.2, but also produces very pleasant background blur (bokeh), which is great for isolating the subject from the background.

Even with a fast lens, I have to shoot at a very high ISO (around 16,500) in order to keep the shutter speed high for freezing the action. Fortunately, modern professional DSLRs, such as the Canon EOS-1D X or Canon EOS 5D Mark III, have excellent low-light performance (i.e. relatively low levels of noise at high ISO).

My camera settings (on a 1D X) are usually the same as for indoor sports: manual mode with the aperture wide open, the shutter speed of around 1/800 sec and auto ISO.

One note is that the 85mm f1.2L lens is perfect for close quarters, but would be too short in larger venues. In any case, in line with what I wrote about involving other people in photo shoots, it is always best to develop a relationship with performers or the organizers of the event and obtain an accreditation or some sort or permission to be close to the action, either in front of the performers or backstage.